5 players the Nuggets should consider at No. 21 in the 2022 NBA Draft

The Denver Nuggets may be a piece or two away from being legitimate title contenders in 2022-23. This year’s NBA Draft is an opportunity for the organization to get a player or make that move that positions them into the NBA’s top tier. But there are a lot of question marks after Tim Connelly’s departure to Minnesota. What will General Manager Calvin Booth do in his first Draft?

Many expect Booth to be aggressive based on reports. That means the Nuggets could package or just straight-up trade their first-rounder for a proven NBA player. It seems unlikely that the Nuggets will move up based on their assets. So it’s either pick at No. 21, move down or trade it. If the Nuggets do indeed trade the pick, here’s who they could target.

Under Connelly, the Nuggets always drafted who they thought was the best player available. Will Booth follow in those footsteps or take somebody who fills a clear need?

While it would be great if the Nuggets picked Chet Holmgren or Jabari Smith in this year’s NBA Draft, the two top prospects will not fall to No. 21. If the Nuggets do decide to use their pick—with reasonability taken into account—here are five names Denver should consider taking if they’re still on the board when Booth phones into the league office:

Five players in order of The Ringer’s big board:

Tari Eason, Forward
6-8, 217, LSU
The Ringer’s Player Comp: Tall Jae’Sean Tate, Jerami Grant, James Johnson

Eason may go before the Nuggets have a chance to grab him at No. 21. He transferred from Cincinnati to LSU and became an All-SEC player in his Sophomore season, scoring 17 points per game on 37% from three with seven rebounds and two steals a game. Eason has an odd-looking but effective shot, cashing on 79% of his free throws.

Among draft picks this year, Eason was first in steals per minute and top 10 in blocks per minute. He came off the bench for the Tigers and sometimes struggled with foul issues, but his quickness, length, defense and hustle showed out. Eason’s leap from Cincinnati to LSU is also a positive sign that he may be ready to jump into the NBA.

Eason could theoretically defend all five guys on the floor, playing a lot of center in college but also somebody who pressed guards up the court. Eason is also a great fastbreak player who averages over 5.5 free throw attempts per game on only 24 minutes.

Eason’s one downfall is bad dribbling, which the Nuggets could work around. Overall he seems like a swiss-army knife defender with a serviceable shot. If ready, he’d be a highly-skilled guy, who also fills a need position. Drafting him would also give the Nuggets an ability to move on from Jeff Green or JaMychal Green or both.

Ochai Agbaji, Forward
6-6, 215, Kansas
The Ringer’s Player Comp: Jae Crowder

The best player on the national champions this past season and the Big 12 Player of the Year, Agbaji is not scared of the big moments. The forward flirted with the draft last year before coming back for his senior season. Agbaji averaged 20 points a game and only twice didn’t end up in double figures. He shot 41% from three while snatching four rebounds a night.

Agbaji is a solid on-ball defender who has had signature performances in big games. He could factor in right away for the Nuggets as a backup wing. While Agbaji’s scoring touch is better than Eason’s, including Agbaji’s ability to create, he’s not as good of an all-around defender. Still, Agbaji should be a versatile defender that can guard multiple positions. He’s a solid cutter and shooter who would play great next to Nikola Jokic.

Agbaji is not the typical Nuggets draft pick under Connelly, but Booth may think differently. One thing is for sure, Agbaji shined on a big stage in March and fills some needs. Is he the highest-potential player? No, two Nuggets already on the roster are younger than him. And there’s a decent chance he’s off the board by No. 21.

E.J. Liddell, Forward
6-7, 240, Ohio State
The Ringer’s Player Comp: Paul Millsap, PJ Washington

Liddell also comps to Grant Williams and Draymond Green in the sense of bigger body, smaller guys who play the power forward uniquely. Liddell, a muscular player, played a lot of center this past season while shooting 37.5% from deep. He scored over 19 points, snagged eight rebounds and got two-and-a-half blocks a game.

Liddell was excellent guarding about-to-be top pick power forward Duke’s Paolo Banchero. He also did a good job on seven-footer Kofi Cockburn. He’s shown to be an outstanding defender and spot up shooter.

Liddell fits the mold as a three-and-d wing, likely more of a small or power forward and unlikely to guard a point. Again this gives the ability for the Nuggets to move on from the Greens and get a versatile player who fills a need.

Bryce McGowens, Guard/Forward
6-6, 179, Nebraska
The Ringer’s Player Comp: Zach LaVine

McGowens is a very good athlete but is more of a project. McGowens scored 17 points a game in his freshman season for the Huskers. He has solid handle and is long with a wingspan of 6-9.

McGowens didn’t shoot well in his lone college season, held to 27%. Scouts say his shot has signs of improving but his shooting, defense and more struggled against better college teams.

McGowens could be a big hit late in the draft, and the Nuggets have shown they draft players like this. But McGowens would likely spend this crucial season in the G League and struggle to get on the floor in the NBA. So there’s a lot of talent with McGowens, but he needs time to refine it and doesn’t fill any immediate needs.

Jalen Williams, Guard/Forward
6-6, 190, Santa Clara
The Ringer’s Player Comp: Zach LaVine

Williams scored 18 points a game in the West Coast Conference, hitting nearly 40% of three-point shots. The Bronco added four assists, four rebounds and a steal a night. No player in the country hit on those marks while remaining as efficient as Williams.

Williams is not a great defender, even slow at times. But the late-bloomer made a strong impression this season with his seven-foot wingspan. The combination of shooting and length in enticing.

Williams may be able to play for the Nuggets right now, but he’d need to make some significant strides on defense. Williams would play a similar role to Zeke Nnaji but smaller.

Quick hitters, names to watch:

TyTy Washington
A solid guard from Kentucky offers shiftiness but doesn’t fill a need and is small.

Kendall Brown
A five-star guy out of high school, Brown is an elite athlete from Baylor

Marjon Beauchamp
Physical forward from the G League, more of a project but could fill in as a wing. Played with Michael Porter Jr. in high school.

Christian Braun
An energetic two-way wing from the national champion Jayhawks

Patrick Baldwin Jr.
One of the nation’s top players coming out of high school, he had a disappointing one-and-done season at Milwaukee.

David Roddy
Colorado State’s star scorer, while a bit small could fill a role for the Nuggets on the wing.

Malaki Branham
A well-shooting wing from Ohio State, he’s young and likely to be off the board before No. 21.

Mark Williams
An awesome seven-footer playing at Duke. He’ll likely by gone by No. 21 but would be a great backup for Jokic.

Ousmane Dieng
There’s no way he’s there by No. 21 but a very high-upside project from New Zealand.
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